Course sub-headings

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting provides students with the opportunity to undertake graduate studies towards membership of CPA Australia or entry into the CA Program. Upon completing the Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting students can progress to the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting^, Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Commerce, Master of Professional Accounting/Master of Commerce.

^ previously titled Graduate Diploma of Accounting

Cloud (online) studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia must, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered via Cloud (online). International students are not permitted to do more than 25% of their total course via Cloud (online) learning. Best practice is to enrol in mostly Campus located units in each compulsory trimester.

In a non-compulsory trimester (Trimester 3), international students may study Cloud (online) units only.

Fees and charges

Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is considered the standard full time load for one year of study. If you are studying a graduate certificate of 4 credit points, your total course EFTSL is 0.5.

Fee paying place - International (IFP) A fee paying place is one for which the University does not receive any Government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.

Fees for international students apply to persons living in Australia with Temporary Resident status, provided that there is no limitation on study and persons living abroad who are not Australian citizens and do not have Permanent Resident status in Australia.

The annual course fee shown has been provided as a guide only. The actual fees charged by Deakin University, is based on the course a student enrols in and the study load (EFTSL) of the units undertaken. The EFSTL value of each unit offered in 2016 can be viewed from the Unit Search.

To calculate the cost of each unit you can multiply the course price by the EFTSL value of all units undertaken.

The course based fees may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.

Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.

Course rules

The Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting requires students to complete four units totalling 4 credit points.

2 Required by the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) for entry to the CA Program.

3 For candidates who have completed an accredited degree in Australia, this unit may be taken as part of the CPA program. Other students must complete the unit before becoming an Associate Member of CPA Australia.

4 For candidates who would like to obtain exemptions to the ACCA program.

Students should carefully note the trimesters when units are offered to ensure that all required units can be completed in the appropriate time frame.

are advised that it is their responsibility to ensure that they take the appropriate units required for entry.

Students who have completed prior undergraduate or graduate units in accounting or other core knowledge areas are advised to have their qualifications assessed by their preferred professional organisation to ensure they complete the correct units.

Please note: The eligibility of students for membership of any of the accounting accrediting bodies is subject to meeting the requirements of that body and that Deakin makes no representations that individuals will meet those requirements.

Entry requirements - general

Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record. The minimum requirements are successful completion of a three-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an approved university or other educational institution or successful completion of other equivalent qualifications gained by examination, or approved professional or industrial experience. International students must also meet the English language requirements.

Entry requirements - specific

Standard Admission:

- A 3 year bachelor's degree or AQF equivalent

Alternative Admission:

- A Deakin Business and Law Postgraduate Qualifying Program (PQP):

applicants must have successfully completed all four PQP units and achieved a minimum credit grade of 60 per cent for each discipline-based unit undertaken (MAA103, MAE102, MAF101 or MMM132).

IELTS / English language requirements

Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.

It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that she/he has the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses.

Credit for prior learning - general

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit for prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit for prior learning.Your credit for prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for prior learning into the Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate postgraduate studies. There are negotiated credit for prior learning arrangements in place for CPA members.